Session: 04 - 01 Emerging Techniques & Technology

Paper Number: 108496

108496 - Measurement System Analysis of a Novel Phase-Based Ultrasonic NDE Technique for Bond Strength Measurement 

Fiber reinforced polymer parts have shown tremendous benefits in aerospace structural applications, but their qualification and certification for use in safety critical areas are currently hindered by the lack of a capable non-destructive evaluation (NDE) method or technique for the inspection of these adhesively bonded parts. Conventional NDE methods and techniques typically detect gross bond defects in a qualitative (Pass/Fail) manner. These techniques struggle to detect weak or kissing bonds. Also, there are no widely adopted NDE methods or techniques for measuring interfacial bond strength or detecting kissing bonds. Bond strength is currently ensured by process control and semi-destructive testing. Results from recent research from other authors, including but not limited to mechanical testing, have shown an excellent correlation between interfacial stiffness of an adhesively bonded joint and the adhesive bond strength of that joint.

In this paper, a measurement system analysis (MSA) of a novel phase-based ultrasonic NDE Technique, developed at NASA Langley Research Center, is presented for bond strength measurements to assess at an increased level the measurement process and identify components of variation in the process.

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_{*Specific vendor and manufacturer names are explicitly mentioned only to accurately describe the test hardware. The use of vendor and manufacturer names does not imply an endorsement by the U.S. Government, nor does it imply that the specified equipment is the best available.}

Presenting Author: Peter Takunju NASA Langley Research Center

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Peter Takunju joined NASA Langley Research Center in August 2020 as a Research Engineer in the Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch (NESB) where he supports research and development in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for the inspection of aerospace materials and structures. Prior to joining NASA, Dr. Takunju worked at Howmet Aerospace Research Center (01/2014 - 07/2020) as an NDE Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing technical expertise in the development and implementation of new and emerging NDE technologies for the inspection of engineered aerospace turbine blade castings. He received his bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering in 2004 from the St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications, RUSSIA; Master's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2007 from Uppsala University, SWEDEN and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2011 from Michigan State University.